The Collaborative International Dictionary
Rectify \Rec"ti*fy\ (-f?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rectified (-f?d); p. pr. & vb. n. Rectifying (-f?`?ng).] [F. rectifier, LL. rectificare; L. rectus right + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Right, and -fy.]
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To make or set right; to correct from a wrong, erroneous, or false state; to amend; as, to rectify errors, mistakes, or abuses; to rectify the will, the judgment, opinions; to rectify disorders.
I meant to rectify my conscience.
--Shak.This was an error of opinion which a conflicting opinion would have rectified.
--Burke. (Chem.) To refine or purify by repeated distillation or sublimation, by which the fine parts of a substance are separated from the grosser; as, to rectify spirit of wine.
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(Com.) To produce ( as factitious gin or brandy) by redistilling low wines or ardent spirits (whisky, rum, etc.), flavoring substances, etc., being added.
To rectify a globe, to adjust it in order to prepare for the solution of a proposed problem.
Syn: To amend; emend; correct; better; mend; reform; redress; adjust; regulate; improve. See Amend.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of rectify English)
Usage examples of "rectifying".
Tyndall pulled himself drunkenly to his feet by the rectifying arm of the binnacle: the explosion had blown him clean out of his chair into the centre of the compass platform.
After many years of experiment, a technique was developed for reaching into the past and rectifying to some extent the effects of the original disaster.